• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home IAAF

The view from Kenya: South Africa’s Minister’s Remarks on Kenyan athletes ignite social media, by Justin Lagat

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
April 30, 2014
0
0 0
0
SHARES
1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Fikile Mbalula, the Sports & Recreation Minister for South Africa, created quite a stir with his off the cuff comments on the differences in how South Africa and Kenya view sports participation. 


Thumbnail image for Kiprop_AsbelLeads-KenyaRelay14.jpg

Asbel Kiprop, photo by PhotoRun.net

Justin Lagat, our weekly commentator on Kenyan athletics, wrote the following about the disturbance in the twitter universe that Mr. Mbalula started. If you want to see more, go to # #someonetellsouthafrica or  #someonetellmbalula. 

Justin’s column gives you an interesting view point on the furor. 

RelatedPosts

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial, Some deep thoughts on Another epic 1,500m race…

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial Diary, Thoughts on Brits in Brussels…

2023 Allianz Memorial Van Damme Diary, the excitement of Brussels

South Africa’s Minister’s Remarks on Kenyan athletes, by Justin Lagat

Kenyans woke up today to defend and show their love for their athletes and to protect the pride of their nation on the social media platform.
Among the most trending hash tags on Twitter in Kenya today were #someonetellsouthafrica and #someonetellmbalula , the latter probably having been initiated by South Africans to distance themselves from their minister’s unfortunate remarks.

South Africa’s Sport and Recreation Minister, Fikile Mbalula while speaking at a media breakfast meeting in Johannesburg,  had made remarks regarding Kenyan athletes that ended up sparking outrage from both Kenyans and South Africans (who were also quick to point out that their minister ought to be solely accountable for his own words).

It is reported that the Minister was responding to a question by a journalist who sought an explanation on why South Africa’s national teams remain predominantly white despite the end of apartheid more than 20 years ago.

“You can’t transform sports without targets,” answered the minister. “But at the same time, South Africa wouldn’t be like Kenya and send athletes to the Olympics to “drown in the pool” he added.

That is the statement that started the war on Twitter.

But, looking at the statement, there appears to be a possibility of the minister’s words being misinterpreted. Who knows? Perhaps he meant that the South African athletes, being not as strong as the Kenyans, would “drown” amidst many other athletes from the rest of the world and not come out with any impressive results like the Kenyans. 

So far, the minister seems not to have come out to clarify what he really meant. The most valuable thing coming out of all this is that Kenyans are proud of their athletes, and are united to defend them.

Below are some of the statements I read on social media from some Kenyans: “I do not see anything wrong with his statement, although no Kenyan has drowned in an Olympic swimming pool. We should accept the fact that our swimming performance is well below par and not to make things worse, our only swimmer at the Olympics is white who rarely resides in the country! 

Some countries with poor performance in competitive swimming are nowadays given a wild berth at the Olympics for the purpose of promoting the sports in such countries. Where the average time for the 1,500m freestyle is about 15 minutes, they take more than an hour to cover the same distance. 

They do not drown though! Kenya should seriously start focusing on many other sports other than the long distance athletics. We should for example go and dominate the 400m, 200m and the 100m track races. Revive our pride in boxing, field hockey, cricket and others! 

Simultaneously widen our scope to cover other sports too. I do not see why a Kenyan cannot win a gold medal in a swimming event or a 100m track race! Let’s take Mbalula’s remarks as a challenge and not as an insult!” Commented one person.
 
“The answer needs explaining because it comes from an honorable (minister). I ask him to apologize and resign. It is no
t in the interest of anyone for leaders to demean other countries” Another wrote.
 
“Come on, Kenyans. We are just too sensitive about this! In sports, it is part of the fun to make fun of the other team. When it comes to swimming, SA is far ahead of us. Ergo, they can “drown us”. 
But when it comes to running, we can cover them in dust!” Another one wrote. “South Africa’s national teams are not predominantly white if soccer is considered the majority sport, the team is almost 100% black or colored. It’s very simple, SA blacks love soccer, SA whites, colored and Indians love rugby, soccer and cricket. 

So what? In Kenya, if we decided that Kalenjins were too many runners, where would our sports be? Maybe they are so many Kalenjins because of a long tradition and burning thirst for athletics, like whites have for SA rugby,” wrote another.

For many more comments, you can follow the two hash tags for yourself on twitter. Some are actually interesting.

It may not be certain what the South Africa’s minister really meant by his remarks, but one thing is now clear; that Kenyans love and value their athletes.

Author

  • Larry Eder
    Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 51-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts

Previous Post

Lance Brauman, Video 6 of 6: Best age for sprinters?, by the Shoe Addicts

Next Post

World Champion Kilty to compete at BT GreatCityGames Manchester

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 51-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

October 3, 2023
The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!
Athletics history

The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!

October 3, 2023
The Budapest 2023 World Champs are Underway…

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 4, Day 2, Tempo!

October 3, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Nike Pre Classic, Some Deep thoughts on 2023 version

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racining Program, Week 4, day 1, Monday is recovery…

October 3, 2023
NUGUSE SMASHES AMERICAN RECORD FOR THE MILE: 3:43.97

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Running Week 3, Day 7, a long run on Sundays…

October 2, 2023
Coffee with Larry, Brussels DL continues was totally Impressive!

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial, Some deep thoughts on Another epic 1,500m race…

September 30, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

August 27, 2023
An epic pole vault competition

An epic pole vault competition

August 26, 2023
2022 USATF Outdoor Champs: Melissa Jefferson takes the Women’s 100m title in windy 10.69!

The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

February 8, 2023
Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

July 17, 2023
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
2022 Munich Diary, Day Five, a Great Friday Night

2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs, The Women’s 60m, who will win the final tonight?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

October 3, 2023
The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!

The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!

October 3, 2023
The Budapest 2023 World Champs are Underway…

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 4, Day 2, Tempo!

October 3, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Nike Pre Classic, Some Deep thoughts on 2023 version

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racining Program, Week 4, day 1, Monday is recovery…

October 3, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

October 3, 2023
The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!
Athletics history

The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!

October 3, 2023
The Budapest 2023 World Champs are Underway…

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 4, Day 2, Tempo!

October 3, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Nike Pre Classic, Some Deep thoughts on 2023 version

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racining Program, Week 4, day 1, Monday is recovery…

October 3, 2023

Recent Tweets

Next Post

World Champion Kilty to compete at BT GreatCityGames Manchester

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist